King James Version

What Does Isaiah 10:12 Mean?

Isaiah 10:12 in the King James Version says “Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I wi... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. punish: Heb. visit upon stout: Heb. greatness of the heart

Isaiah 10:12 · KJV


Context

10

As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;

11

Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?

12

Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. punish: Heb. visit upon stout: Heb. greatness of the heart

13

For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures , and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: a valiant: or, many people

14

And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse promises future judgment on Assyria itself. 'When the Lord hath performed his whole work' indicates God will complete His purpose of disciplining Israel/Judah first. Then He will 'punish the fruit of the stout heart'—Assyria's pride. 'The glory of his high looks' refers to arrogant boasting. Being God's instrument doesn't excuse Assyria's wickedness. This demonstrates God's justice—He judges both His people's sin and their oppressors' pride. Instruments of judgment are themselves judged.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Fulfilled when Assyria fell to Babylon (612 BC). After God used Assyria to discipline Israel (722 BC) and Judah (701 BC), He destroyed Assyria for its cruelty and pride. Nineveh's destruction was so complete that its location was lost for centuries. Isaiah 37:36-38 describes Sennacherib's army's destruction and his assassination—initial fulfillment before Assyria's final collapse. God's judgments are comprehensive and sequential.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does being used by God not exempt anyone from accountability for their actions?
  2. What does sequential judgment—first Israel, then Assyria—teach about God's comprehensive justice?
  3. How should we avoid pride when God uses us to accomplish His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּֽי2 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יְבַצַּ֤ע3 of 21

hath performed

H1214

to break off, i.e., (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop

אֲדֹנָי֙4 of 21

Wherefore it shall come to pass that when the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

אֶת5 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל6 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַֽעֲשֵׂ֔הוּ7 of 21

his whole work

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

בְּהַ֥ר8 of 21

upon mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

צִיּ֖וֹן9 of 21

Zion

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

וּבִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם10 of 21

and on Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֶפְקֹ֗ד11 of 21

I will punish

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עַל12 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּרִי13 of 21

the fruit

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

גֹ֙דֶל֙14 of 21

of the stout

H1433

magnitude (literally or figuratively)

לְבַ֣ב15 of 21

heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

מֶֽלֶךְ16 of 21

of the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁ֔וּר17 of 21

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

וְעַל18 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תִּפְאֶ֖רֶת19 of 21

and the glory

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

ר֥וּם20 of 21

of his high

H7312

(literally) elevation or (figuratively) elation

עֵינָֽיו׃21 of 21

looks

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 10:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 10:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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